We’re gearing up for a food-tastic fall! Our event planning team is honored to be a part of both the Dallas All Star Chef Classic and World Food Championships this October. The coolest news? There’s synergy between the two events. The World Food Championships recently announced that proceeds from the signature Grand Tasting event will benefit the Dallas 24 Hour Club!

As part of WFC’s new relationship with the 24 Hour Club, two World Food Champions will also participate in the 2019 Dallas All Star Chef Classic. Terry Kranz, owner of TK Culinary, created the Dallas All Star Chef Classic alongside Marsha Williamson to assist with fundraising efforts and further awareness about addiction within the restaurant community.

“24 Hour Club has given me everything I have,” shared Terry, who lived at the Dallas 24 Hour Club twice during the height of his own addiction. “Today I own a catering company, I do the best events in the world, and I’m respected. What really drives me now is to show another alcoholic that it’s possible to make it out.”

So what are you waiting for, DFW foodies? Good food, great fun, and a worthy cause await. Fire up those tastebuds and catch all the details for both events below!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE FABULOUS FOOD EVENTS

October 13, 2019 | Join us at the 6th Annual Dallas All Star Chef Classic benefitting Dallas 24 Hour Club! The event will be held at Sixty Five Hundred from 5:30-8 pm. Dallas’ top chefs will be on the scene to prepare delicious tastings, and guests will also enjoy live music from the Georgia Bridgwater Band along with silent + live auctions.

October 16-20, 2019 | We hope to see you at the World Food Championships in Dallas! Presented by Walmart, this 5-day outdoor cooking competition will take place on the Reunion Tower Lawn. Top chefs and home cooks from across the globe will battle for a Category Champion title and $10,000. In the following months, Category Champs will reconvene for a shot at the World Food Champion title and an additional $100,000!

American Airlines is rooted in high-quality customer service, reliability, and kindness, and it has been an honor for our team to work with such an all-star brand to produce a variety of events over the past year! No matter the occasion, the American Airlines personality and commitment to excellence is always evident. Our team adores working (and flying!) with American Airlines and we are proud to share a look at two recent events today: the company’s 2018 Service Anniversary and dynamic “Through the Decades” reception.

The 2018 American Airlines Service Anniversary honored the dedication and commitment of team members who have contributed more than 35 years of service to the company. Hundreds of pilots and team members joined in celebrating the American Airlines legacy at the beautiful Omni Dallas, where Chairman & CEO Doug Parker shared remarks with honorees as guests enjoyed a delicious dinner. Afterward, attendees hit the dance floor and enjoyed music from legendary performer Tony Orlando!

Such a special occasion called for equally extraordinary decor, and our vendors delivered. Floral arrangements in shades of red and pink created by David Kimmel Design lined sophisticated farm tables from Perch Event Decor, and libations were served behind a round bar that featured American Airlines logos on every panel. Programs embellished with a custom-designed motif were placed atop beautiful chargers fromPosh Couture Rentals, and the motif was also replicated on the custom Prashe dance floor for a cohesive look. Boxwood walls adorned with the American Airlines suite of logos provided a perfect backdrop for photo ops throughout the evening.

“Through the Decades” Reception

Groovy, baby! From rubix cube end tables to a vintage Volkswagen van, the decor for the American Airlines “Through the Decades” reception at the DFW Grand Hyatt was unlike any other. Every corner of the room was accented by a different color wash and furnished with decor that gave a nod to the featured decade. Whether they were sipping on handcrafted beverages or enjoying music from DJ Andy Austin, the atmosphere made it easy for guests to “fly” through the past!

No matter the occasion, DFW Events pays attention to the details to bring your vision to life. From large-scale award galas to meaningful celebrations of employees and clients, we aim to provide a five-star experience each and every time. To learn more about our Dallas-Fort Worth corporate event planning services for brands and businesses, click here.

The Victoria’s Secret Bra Fit Tour embodied the sexy, iconic feel of the world-famous lingerie brand, and we were so honored to coordinate a soirée for the Dallas leg of the tour. Models and Bra Fit Experts alike descended on Hotel Crescent Court to help women find their best fit in the latest styles and silhouettes. Our goal? To make sure each guest truly felt like an Angel!

The Crescent’s luxe Presidential Suite perfectly showcased the new Body by Victoria collection, and the intimate setting proved ideal for mixing and mingling as well. Event attendees included Victoria’s Secret Angel Romee Strijd, Gisou Hair founder Negin Mirsalehi, Dallas-based bloggers and social media influencers, and the most pink-loving Real Housewives of Dallas cast member of them all: Kameron Westcott! While browsing for bras, pajamas, and lingerie from Victoria’s Secret, guests enjoyed light bites and signature “The Best Fit” cocktails comprised of grapefruit, tequila, and a lime wedge. There was something for everyone to enjoy!

A boudoir-esque atmosphere was created for the event with the help of some of our favorite Dallas vendors. Lush floral arrangements crafted by Garden Gate in vibrant shades of VS pink were scattered around the room. Rich red, pink, and navy balloons from A Little Party Co. lined a textured velvet backdrop from Big Bad Booth, where guests snapped photos and showcased their sassy sides. Perch Event Decor provided elegant pieces including jewel-toned pillows and a stunning gold bar-turned-DJ-booth, where DJ Sno White spun hits as everyone sipped and shopped. Absolute Lighting ensured that each and every woman had the opportunity to shine. At the end of the evening, attendees went home with a tote bag filled with the best kind of swag: custom-fitted bras, lingerie, robes, and a $100 gift card to Victoria’s Secret!

This event was such a treat for our team to coordinate—we absolutely loved the challenge of translating the Victoria’s Secret brand into a tangible experience for each guest! We would like to thank Victoria’s Secret for inviting us into their world and for making a tour stop in Dallas. Now…who’s ready to don a pair of wings?

No matter the occasion, DFW Events pays attention to the details to bring your vision to life. From major grand openings to intimate events geared toward generating brand awareness, we aim to provide a five-star experience each and every time. To learn more about our Dallas-Fort Worth corporate event planning services, click here.

Words truly cannot express how lovely, warm, and wonderful the Hustons are, and how much fun we had planning and executing their 50th anniversary celebration at The Joule last November! Allan and Jane’s joy about celebrating this milestone occasion alongside family and friends was infectious throughout the planning process.

In order to bring their vision of an elegant yet lively event to life, Jackson Durham created beautiful floral arrangements in a palette befitting the couple’s Golden Anniversary. Each guest also received a champagne-hued single stem rose at their seat before dinner began—a luxe and lovely touch that reflected the couple’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Above and beyond the look of the event, though, were the memories shared by the couple’s family members throughout the evening. One of our favorite tributes took the form of a video created by the Hustons’ daughters, which featured photos, highlights from Allan and Jane’s marriage, and special interview questions that allowed the Hustons to share their perspective on what makes a marriage great (namely, respect and friendship!). The couple’s daughters and grandchildren also spoke about the relationship the two share and the impact they have made on the lives of their loved ones.

Later in the evening after all happy tears had been dried, it was time to hit the dance floor! Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes brought the fire to this party and ensured that the dance floor stayed full—the perfect entertainment choice to reflect the Hustons’ fun-loving personalities!

The Hustons’ kindness and love for one another is evident in so many ways and was easy for our team to celebrate. It was truly an honor to coordinate this very special 50th anniversary party!

There is something so special about a night at the museum—and no, we’re not talking about the Ben Stiller comedy that brought exhibits to life on the big screen. Rather, we’re thinking of artfully-imagined weddings and special events hosted at locales including the The Modern, the Dallas Museum of Art, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and The Nasher, just to name a few. While you may have previously enjoyed perusing a gallery or two during business hours, it’s a completely different experience to get up close and personal with dinosaur fossils while attending an after-hours wedding reception (with a glass of Chardonnay in hand, no less). Let’s explore the logistics of hosting a wedding or event at a museum!

THE SET-UP

Museums are open to the public during the day, which means set-up for a private event typically begins later than it would at a hotel ballroom or other event space—we’re talking a 5 o’clock start time at a museum versus an early morning start at most other venues. With a carefully planned timeline and strong vendor team in place, however, rest assured that set-up can go off without a hitch!

If you’ve chosen to host your wedding or event at a museum, then obviously there is something about that space or a particular exhibit within the museum that initially drew you toward the idea. Although you could try to mask the fact that your guests will be enjoying cocktail hour amid ancient fossils or spectacular art, why not play it up instead? This doesn’t mean you have to go super theme-y, but you can play off the color scheme already in place or incorporate a small nod to your favorite exhibit. In short, celebrating what’s unique and interesting about your event space is the way to go at a museum.

We’d be willing to bet that the majority of your wedding or event guests don’t have the opportunity to privately tour a museum (with a cocktail in hand!) on a regular basis. Although different rules apply at different museums, for the most part there is always a workable way to incorporate drinks, live music, dancing, and other must-have elements into your event. Depending on the museum you select, you might consider hosting a progressive event that spans multiple levels—it’s a great way to expose guests to as many exhibits as possible, which makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience!

Read your contract, then read it again! Every hotel and event venue maintains a certain set of rules that are listed in the fine print, but museums tend to have more specific regulations in place to protect their exhibits. If you’re passionate about serving red wine or saying goodbye to your guests via a sparkler exit, for instance, then a museum wedding might not be for you.

Verify what the museum is able to provide in terms of furniture and rentals. In addition to checking out the look of the house tables and chairs, it’s important to ensure that the museum has enough of each available for your event.

Exhibits come and go. While the museum you selected might currently be housing works by your favorite artist, it could only be a temporary exhibit. Be sure to check the museum’s exhibition schedule against your wedding date!

For 20 years, DFW Events has been known for coordinating luxury weddings in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and across the globe. While our team remains truly passionate about every aspect of the wedding planning process (from vendor selections to the vow exchange), weddings certainly aren’t the only milestone celebrations that we coordinate. Grand openings, corporate galas and fundraisers, dignitary dinners, holiday parties, anniversaries, familiarity trips…we’re serious when we say that the “DFW” in our company name stands for Destinations, Fêtes, and Weddings. So today, we’re highlighting one particular type of event that never fails to make our hearts beat a little faster: the birthday party!

If you thought birthday parties were limited to the 10-and-under crowd, think again. We’re not just talking balloons, candles, and confetti here (although these party staples will never really go out of style). Think more along the lines of private museum tours, celebrity guest appearances, and itineraries that keep the party going all weekend long. This is the birthday party all grown up—a reimagined, sophisticated celebration worthy of your special occasion. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of our most recent fêtes as we explore the latest trends in luxury birthday party planning!

The Trend: Personalized Parties

Personalizing a party begins with selecting a theme that reflects your individual interests, passions, and experiences. We’ve custom-tailored birthdays based on inspirations ranging from classic cars, to a classic television series, to the ambience of a European club, which has resulted in a portfolio of parties that look completely different from one another in the best way possible!

Up next after selecting a theme? Custom branding everything (and we do mean everything). From bar fronts to cocktail napkins, embellishing as many details as possible with a custom personal logo is an excellent way to establish a consistent through-line and create a completely unique atmosphere. Brynn’s House of Blues themed Sweet 16 was a perfect example of birthday branding done right!

This just in: 40th, 50th, and 60th birthday parties are no longer synonymous with black-on-black decor and “Over the Hill” signs. Elegant jewel-toned dinners, festive fuchsia soirees, and multi-colored metropolitan bashes are the new indicators of a life well-lived (and sensationally celebrated).

Why celebrate one milestone birthday when you can raise a toast to two of them? Take a cue from Ike and Eric, best friends who joined forces to host a blow-out 60th birthday celebration at 6500 that featured a putting green, 3D Mapping show, models, international cuisine, and more!

Birthdays have a way of reminding us that life moves quickly, but our clients have discovered a surefire way to slow time down—by hosting a laidback-yet-luxurious birthday celebration on a ranch in Texas! If sipping margaritas, enjoying roasted corn drenched in butter, line-dancing the night away, and ending the evening with a Hill Country sunset alongside friends and family won’t stop and make you smell the wildflowers, then really…what will?

When you think of surprise parties, you might think of guests crowding together in a darkened room until the time comes to jump out and surprise the unsuspecting birthday girl or boy. Today’s version of the surprise party, however, has just as much to do with surprising and delighting guests as it does with catching the host unaware! Teresa’s recent 50th birthday party at The Perot Museum perfectly encompassed both concepts. Teresa’s husband contacted our team in order to surprise his wife with an unexpected celebration, and in turn, we surprised the couple’s guests by transporting them from Houston to Dallas by private jet to enjoy an intimate progressive dinner on a grand scale.

We had the best time working with Lisa Spraggins to plan her husband’s classic car themed 50th birthday party, so imagine our excitement when we got the chance to team up again—this time to plan Lisa’s own 50th fête! If you thought 50th birthday parties meant black-on-black decor and “Over the Hill” signs, think again. Lisa wanted her soirée to reflect her favorite things, so incorporating plenty of fuchsia design elements and serving up French-inspired cuisine were absolute musts. The result? A hip, club-like atmosphere that was as vibrant and fun as the birthday girl herself!

When it came to choosing a venue, The Joule proved to be the perfect setting for several reasons. “It’s such a great, chic hotel and the rooftop terrace with the private elevator entrance was perfect for the type of party I wanted,” says Lisa. “So many of my friends said that the walk-up had my name written all over it, which I loved!”

Bordered silk drapes washed in bright pink lights marked the party entrance, where guests were greeted by a champagne tower and given the opportunity to sign their names in Lisa’s guest book. In addition to including a book about the “City of Light” on the sign-in table, nods to Lisa’s favorite city, Paris, were incorporated via the menu—pomme frites, chocolate and vanilla bean macarons dusted in gold flakes, and a St. Germain infused signature cocktail dubbed the “French Blonde” were all on offer.

And speaking of drinks…they were served at the coolest custom bars! Glowing white facades were embellished with Lisa’s couture monogram from Paradise Design Co., and the design was also printed on cocktail napkins accented by gold foil. White banquettes overflowing with sequined pillows, a chic runway leading to the dance floor, cocktail tables covered in pink paisley linens, and floral arrangements composed of hydrangeas, roses, and orchid blooms completed the event environment. “Cesar at Bella Flora did an amazing job designing our event décor,” shares Lisa. “He got exactly who I was and understood everything I love about an event space.”

In keeping with the party’s club-like look and feel, DJ Andy Austin kept the dance floor full by spinning hits from behind a sleek white booth. A prop-filled photo booth provided an added dose of entertainment when a break from the dance floor was in order, and a surprise balloon drop proved to be the pièce de résistance that ended the evening in style!

Cheers to not one, but TWO incredible birthday celebrations for the sweetest family! We can’t wait for party number three with the Spraggins!

Looking for more birthday party inspiration? Check out these fantastic fêtes!

Neon lighting and decor created a vibrant backdrop for Bryn’s birthday party while custom pillows, signage, cups, napkins, and wristbands embellished with the party’s emblem brought the “House of Bryn” to life. And let’s not forget the live entertainment, flash tattoos, and loads of eats and sweets party-goers enjoyed throughout the evening!

Needless to say, we had the best time rockin’ and rollin’ at the House of Bryn. Here’s a closer look at all the details that made this party sing!

Happy New Year, friends! Tis the season for fresh starts and new beginnings, two ideas perfectly encompassed by Pantone’s 2017 color of the year: Greenery!

Here’s what Pantone has to say about the symbolism behind the selection: “Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.”

The perfect prescription for couples counting down the days until they say “I do,” don’t you agree? Pantone goes on to describe the verdant hue as “nature’s neutral,” and we love that this particular shade of green can be paired with everything from metallics, to bright pops of coral and turquoise, to 2016’s gorgeous color of the year combo, Rose Quartz and Serenity.

Convinced that Greenery should play a part in your color palette? Get inspired by these real weddings coordinated by our DFW Events planning team, each of which incorporates fresh tones to fabulous effect!

With Capital for Kids 2016 right around the corner, we thought it was only fitting to take a look back at last November’s eleventh annual fundraising event! As always, it was such an honor for us to coordinate this purpose-driven celebration for Capital for Kids, an incredible organization we’ve been working with for nine years.